Dussehra 2017: Victory of Good Over Evil

Dussehra 2017

Dussehra in 2017 will be celebrated on 30th of September in all the parts of the country with Bangladesh and Nepal as well. It is one of the remarkable days in Hindu Calendar that falls on 10th day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwin (September or October). Dussehra brings auspicious chance to adore the power of almighty Goddess Durga and to venerate the great victory of Lord Rama.

Vijayadashami, Ravan Dahan are the other names of Dussehra. It is believed that this auspicious day is celebrated to commemorate triumph of truth over immorality. It comes just after Sharad Navratri or can be termed as the tenth day of Durgotsav. It is revered with name ‘dussehra’ because of victory of Lord Rama over ten heads of evil-qualities of Ravana. Lord Rama is the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu who was born as a human being on earth during Treta Yuga (Silver- Age). Lord Rama is true embodiment of truth, loyalty, honesty and purity. Lord Rama is remembered for all these fair qualities. On the sacred day of Vijayadashami, Bhagvan Ram along with brother Lakshman, devotee Hanuman and army of monkeys defeated devil Ravana and his giant force. This way, they made people free from tyranny and iniquitous treatments of Asur (demon) Ravana.

Spark of Dussehra

Like other Hindu sacred occasions, festival of Dussehra is also celebrated majestically with grand touch. On this grand day, huge idols of Ravana, brother Kumbhakarna, and son Meghnath are established. A huge crowd of people gather at enactment or procession of Ramleela where Lord Rama moves ahead to demolish Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhakaran through his dhanush ban (arch). Many kinds of firecrackers are ignited to illuminate the great victory of Lord Rama. In all regions of India, small or big pandals are set up where Ramleela stage performance is delightfully shown. Ramleela performance begins on first day of Dussehra on which whole epics on Lord Rama is revealed in short-parts. And on the final 10th day of Dussehra, stage characterization of Lord Rama ends the regime of Ravana. People including all children really enjoy or take immense pleasure on the sparking day of Dussehra. Enactment of Ramleela is very popular in northern part of India.

Legend associated with Dussehra

King Dasaratha was the great emperor of Ayodhya during Treta Yuga (Silver Age). He was blessed with three queens – Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kakai, but had no child. After performing many rituals, Raja Dashrath obtained four children Rama, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughna. Among all, Rama was the eldest child of Dasaratha and Kausalya. Sita was beautiful and divine wife of Rama. Step-mother Kakai wanted her own son Bharat to be the king of Ayodhya and thus she asked King Dasaratha to send Lord Rama to vanvas (living in forest) of 14 years. King Dasaratha was obliged to fulfill this wish of Kakai as he granted her two wishes when she helped him win a battle. Lord Rama was greatly known for his obedience, loyalty, and spiritualism. When father Dasaratha unwillingly ordered Rama, he accepted happily and moved for vanvas with wife Sita and brother Lakshman. While living in forest, Ravana saw beautiful Sita and abducted her forcefully when she was alone. Lord Rama was in extreme ache to know about Sita. Both Rama and Laxman searched all places but didn’t find her. Finally, devotee Hanumaan met Lord Rama and helped them to know that Sita was in Lanka under abduction of Ravana.

Ten headed demon Ravana was famous for his colossal power and wits. He was also the great devotee of Lord Shiva. His ten heads represent 10 evil traits- lust, anger, delusion, greed, over pride, jealousy, mind, intellect, will, and ego. His acts were completely disgraceful. No living being had such power that could defeat him. But Lord Rama, incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was the only righteous person who could tarnish the torment of Ravana.

Lord Rama along with brother Laxman, devotee Hanumaan, Jamvant and Sugreev formed a huge army of monkeys to fight against forces of Ravana and to make Sita free from lock of Lanka. After many efforts and endeavors, Lord Rama and his army obtained triumph over devil forces of demon Ravana. And this great occasion occurred on the tenth day of shukla paksha (waxing moon period) of Ashwin month. It is also believed that during this period of time Lord Rama devotedly performed Chandi home to delight and invoked the blessings of Goddess Shakti (Durga) who bestowed him the secrets of killing the giant demon Ravana. The day when Lord destroyed Ravana and found his Sita, was revered with name ‘Vijayadashami’. As Lord Rama is remover of ten heads of Ravana’s, the day was also been revered with name ‘Dussehra’ (Dasara).

Celebration of Dussehra or Vijya Dashmi

To commemorate the great victory of Lord Rama and triumph of good over evil, Vijayadashami is vivaciously celebrated in all parts of India, especially in North –India. In eastern parts of India like Kolkata, Vijayadashami is grandly celebrated to venerate the power of almighty Goddess Durga who destroyed torment of devils, especially Mahishasura. A huge statue of Ravana is burned to complete the celebrations of Dussehra. With the death of Ravana, it is important for all to kill the raavan that is inside us.

Likewise previous years, Dussehra in 2017 will also be celebrated with great devotion and gratification. May Dussehra bring immense happiness and remove darkness from your lives! May Goddess Durga and Lord Rama bestow their grace on you this Dussehra. Happy Dussehra!